System and method for selectively activating a communication device

ABSTRACT

The disclosure provides a system and method for managing power and activation of a communication device. The system comprises: a microprocessor controlling the electronic device; an accelerometer; and a power application operating on the microprocessor. The application provides instructions to the microprocessor to place the electronic device in a low power state from a higher power state upon determining from movement data generated by the accelerometer that the electronic device has been returned to around a resting location where the electronic device was previously in a stationary state from a first location that is in a spaced relationship to the resting location.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/900,908 filed on Oct. 8, 2010, which itself is acontinuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/995,221filed on Nov. 24, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,826,874.

FIELD OF DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a system and method for activating acommunication device, more particularly activating the device aftersensing intent to use the device.

BACKGROUND

Current wireless handheld mobile communication devices perform a varietyof functions to enable mobile users to stay current with information andcommunications, such as e-mail, corporate data and organizer informationwhile they are away from their desks. A wireless connection to a serverallows a mobile communication device to receive updates to previouslyreceived information and communications. The handheld devices optimallyare lightweight, compact and low power to facilitate usage byprofessionals on the go. In order to conserve battery power, the devicescan be placed into reduced power or sleep modes, where portions of thedevice (such as the display and alarms) are either not used, poweredoff, or used in a restricted, power-saving mode. Such modes aregenerally programmable, wherein the user manually programs the device tohave: (i) a start or sleep time; and (ii) an end or wake-up time. At thesleep time, the devices automatically enter a predetermined sleep modeand shut off predetermined portions of the devices. Generally in a sleepmode, sufficient power is still provided to the devices in order for itto maintain its data, essential programs and clock information and tooperate programs and processes during the sleep mode. At the wake-uptime, the devices are typically brought back to a full power mode, whereall functionality of the devices is available to the user.

However, often prior art systems and methods for power control of suchdevices are inflexible in their program modes, typically mandating thatif the device is required to be used during its sleep mode, the devicemust be manually activated in some manner (e.g. activating a powerswitch), and then manually de-activated in some manner (e.g.de-activating the power switch).

In some circumstances, a user of a device may need to only use thedevice for a brief period of time to check a status of something trackedby the device, e.g. the receipt of any incoming messages, calls oremails or even the current time. The prior art devices require the userto actively turn on the device by pressing an appropriate key, use it,then actively turn off the device. This process is cumbersome,especially if the user wishes only to check the status of an event.

There is a need for a system and method which addresses deficiencies inthe prior art of selectively turning on (activating) and then turningoff (deactivating) a communication device.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, a power management system for an electronic device isprovided. The system comprises: a microprocessor controlling theelectronic device; an accelerometer; and a power application operatingon the microprocessor. The application provides instructions to themicroprocessor to place the electronic device in a low power state froma higher power state upon determining from movement data generated bythe accelerometer that the electronic device has been returned to arounda resting location where the electronic device was previously in astationary state from a first location that is in a spaced relationshipto the resting location.

In the system, the power application may further provide instructions tothe microprocessor to calculate displacement data of the device from theresting location using the movement data from the accelerometer.

In the system, the power application may further provide instructions tothe microprocessor to place the electronic device in one of a pluralityof power consumption modes by monitoring signals from the accelerometerand by changing modes within the plurality of power consumption modesbased on the signals; the plurality of power consumption modes mayinclude the low power state, the higher power state, at least an offstate and a fully on state; and the low power state may be apartially-off state that consumes less power than the fully on state andmore power than the off state.

In the system, the power application may further provide instructions tothe microprocessor to place the electronic device in the higher powerstate when the electronic device is in the stationary state at theresting location and the accelerometer provides a second signalindicating a subsequent movement of the electronic device from theresting location.

In the system, the power application may further provide instructions tothe microprocessor to: track a time that the electronic device is in thehigher power state after placing the electronic device in the higherpower state; monitor for receipt of a non-use signal from theaccelerometer indicating an intent to return to the lower power state;and monitor for receipt of a return signal from the accelerometerindicating return of the electronic device at or near the restinglocation.

In the system, the power application may further provide instructions tothe microprocessor to place the electronic device in the low power statefrom the higher power state and deactivate the backlight when apredetermined length of time of non-use of the electronic device passesor when a predetermined time for shut-off passes.

In the system, the power application may activate another element in theelectronic device after receiving the first signal when the electronicdevice is placed from the low power state to the higher power state.

In the system, the power application may turn off the backlight for theelectronic device when the electronic device is in the low power state.

In a second aspect, a method of selectively placing an electronic devicein one of a plurality of power consumption modes is provided. The methodcomprises: monitoring an accelerometer in the electronic device formovement data; and placing the electronic device in a low power statefrom a higher power state upon determining from the movement data thatthe electronic device has been returned to around a resting locationwhere the electronic device was previously in a stationary state from afirst location that is in a spaced relationship to the resting location.

The method may further comprise: placing the electronic device in thehigher power state from the low power state after the electronic deviceis stationary and at the resting location and after the accelerometerprovides a signal indicating movement of the electronic device from theresting location; and activating a backlight for the electronic devicewhen the electronic device is in the higher power state.

In the method, the low power state may be a partially-off state; and thebacklight may have a variable intensity.

The method may further comprise placing the electronic device in one ofa plurality of power consumption modes by evaluating the movement dataand by changing modes within the plurality of power consumption modesbased on the movement data.

In the method, the plurality of power consumption modes may furtherinclude an off state, a fully on state; and the low power state mayconsume less power than the fully on state and more power than the offstate.

The method may further comprise turning off the backlight when theelectronic device is in the low power state.

The method may further comprise: tracking a time that the electronicdevice is in the higher power state; and placing the electronic devicein the low power state from the higher power state when a predeterminedlength of time of non-use of the electronic device passes or when apredetermined time for shut-off passes.

In a third aspect, a portable electronic device is provided. The devicecomprises: a microprocessor; an accelerometer; and a power applicationoperating on the microprocessor and providing instructions to themicroprocessor to place the electronic device in a low power state froma higher power state upon determining from movement data generated bythe accelerometer that the electronic device has been returned to arounda resting location where the electronic device was previously in astationary state from a first location that is in a spaced relationshipto the resting location.

In the portable electronic device, the power application may furtherprovide instructions to the microprocessor to calculate displacementdata of the device from the resting location using the movement datafrom the accelerometer.

In the portable electronic device, the power application may furtherprovide instructions to the microprocessor to place the electronicdevice in one of a plurality of power consumption modes by monitoringsignals from the accelerometer and by changing modes within theplurality of power consumption modes based on the signals; and theplurality of power consumption modes may include the low power state,the higher power state, at least an off state and a fully on state; andthe low power state may be a partially-off state that consumes lesspower than the fully on state and more power than the off state.

In the portable electronic device, the power application may furtherprovide instructions to the microprocessor to place the electronicdevice in the higher power state when the electronic device is in thestationary state at the resting location and the accelerometer providesa second signal indicating a subsequent movement of the electronicdevice from the resting location.

In the portable electronic device, the power application may furtherprovide instructions to the microprocessor to: track a time that theelectronic device is in the higher power state after placing theelectronic device in the higher power state; monitor for receipt of anon-use signal from the accelerometer indicating an intent to return tothe lower power state; and monitor for receipt of a return signal fromthe accelerometer indicating return of the electronic device at or nearthe resting location.

In another aspect, a power management system for an electronic device isprovided. The system comprises: a microprocessor controlling the device;an accelerometer; and a power application operating on themicroprocessor to place the device in one of a plurality of powerconsumption modes by monitoring signals from the accelerometer andchanging modes within the plurality of power consumption modes based onthe signals. The power application provides instructions to themicroprocessor to place the device in a higher power state than a lowpower state when the device is in a stationary state at a restinglocation and the accelerometer provides a first signal indicating asubsequent movement of the device from the resting location to a firstlocation in a spaced relationship from the resting location and thenactivate a backlight for the device when placed in the higher powerstate; and to place the device in the low power state from the higherpower state upon receipt of a signal indicating return of the devicefrom the first location to around the resting location, the signal beingderived from data from the accelerometer, and then deactivate thebacklight.

In the system, the power consumption modes may include the low powerstate, the higher power state, at least an off state, a fully on state;and the low power state may consume less power than the fully on stateand more power than the off state.

In the system, the power application may turn off the backlight for thedevice when the device is the low power state.

In the system, the low power state may be a partially-off state.

In the system, the power application may activate another element in thedevice after receiving the first signal when the device is placed fromthe low power state to the higher power state.

In the system, the backlight may have a variable intensity set by thepower application.

In the system, after placing the device in the higher power state, thepower application may further track a time that the device is in thehigher power state, may monitor for receipt of a non-use signal from thesensor indicating an intent to return to the lower power state and maymonitor for receipt of a return signal from the sensor indicating returnof the device at or near the resting location.

In the system, the signal indicating return of the device to around theresting location may be based on displacement signals provided by theaccelerometer.

In yet another aspect, a method of selectively placing an electronicdevice in one of a plurality of power consumption modes is provided. Themethod comprises: monitoring a sensor in the device for a first signalindicating movement of the device from a resting location when thedevice is operating in both a low power state and a stationary state;placing the device in a higher power state from the low power state whenthe device is stationary and the sensor provides a first signalindicating subsequent movement of the device and then activating abacklight for the device when the device is in the higher power state;and placing the device in the low power state from the higher powerstate upon receipt of a signal from the sensor indicating return of thedevice at or near the resting location and deactivating the backlight.

In the method, the power consumption modes may further include an offstate, a fully on state; and the low power state may consume less powerthan the fully on state and more power than the off state.

The method may further comprise turning off the backlight system whenthe device is the low power state.

In the method, the sensor may be an accelerometer and the signalindicating return of the device to around the resting location may bebased on displacement signals provided by the accelerometer.

In the method, the sensor may be selected from a motion detector, anaccelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor.

The method may further comprise: while the device is in the higher powerstate, tracking a time that the device is in the higher power state,monitoring for receipt of a non-use signal from the sensor indicating anintent to return to the lower power state and monitoring for receipt ofa return signal from the sensor indicating return of the device at ornear the resting location.

The method may further comprise upon activating the backlight systemupon detection of the first signal, activating another element in thedevice.

In the method, the low power state may be a partially off state.

In still another aspect, a handheld mobile communication device isprovided. The device comprises a casing for housing a display and akeyboard; a microprocessor controlling aspects of the keyboard anddisplay; a passive usage sensor; and a power application operating onthe microprocessor. The power application monitors the usage sensor fora signal indicating movement of the device from a resting location whenthe device is in a low power mode and upon detection of the signal forproviding power to at least one additional element in the device.

In the device, the passive usage sensor may be selected from a motiondetector, an accelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor.

In the device, the power application may automatically turn off theelement after a preset amount of time of being activated has passed.

In the device, the element may be a backlighting system for the display.

In the device, the backlighting system may have a variable intensity setby the power application.

In the device the passive usage sensor may be the accelerometer.Further, the power application tracks: when the device is in the lowpower mode in the resting location; when the accelerometer providessignals indicating movement of the device from the resting location; andwhen the accelerometer provides signals indicating return of the deviceto the resting location.

In the device, the passive usage sensor may be the proximity sensor.Further, the power application tracks: when the device is in the lowpower mode in the resting location; when the proximity sensor providessignals indicating movement of the device from the resting location; andwhen the proximity sensor provides signals indicating return of thedevice to the resting location.

In a further aspect, a method for selectively activating at least oneelement for a handheld mobile communication device is provided. Themethod comprises: monitoring for usage of the device when the device isin a resting location by monitoring for activation of a sensor whichprovides sensing information which infers of usage of the device; andupon inferring activation of the device from the sensor, providing powerto at least one additional element in the device.

The method may select the sensor from a motion detector, anaccelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor.

In the method, the additional element may be turned off after a presetamount of time of being activated has passed.

In the method, the additional element may be a backlighting system for adisplay associated with the device.

In the method, the sensor may be an accelerometer. Further, the methodcomprises tracking: when the device is in the low power mode in theresting location; when the accelerometer provides signals indicatingmovement of the device from the resting location; and when theaccelerometer provides signals indicating return of the device to theresting location.

In the method the sensor may be a proximity sensor. Further, the methodcomprises tracking: when the device is in the low power mode in theresting location; when the proximity sensor provides signals indicatingmovement of the device from the resting location; and when the proximitysensor provides signals indicating return of the device to the restinglocation.

In other aspects various combinations of sets and subsets of the aboveaspects are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects of the disclosure will become moreapparent from the following description of specific embodiments thereofand the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example only,the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings, where like elementsfeature like reference numerals (and wherein individual elements bearunique alphabetical suffixes):

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary mobile device thatincorporates an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of selectively activating and thenselectively deactivating the device associated with the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein,are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples, ofparticular embodiments of the principles of the present disclosure.These examples are provided for the purposes of explanation, and notlimitation, of those principles and of the disclosure. In thedescription, which follows, like parts are marked throughout thespecification and the drawings with the same respective referencenumerals.

FIG. 1 illustrates a handheld mobile communication device 10 including ahousing, an input device (e.g. keyboard 14A or thumbwheel 14B) and anoutput device (a display 16), which is preferably a graphic LiquidCrystal Display (LCD). Other types of output devices may alternativelybe utilized. A processing device (a microprocessor 18) is shownschematically in FIG. 1 as coupled between keyboard 14A, thumbwheel 14B,display 16 and a series of other internal devices to device 10. Themicroprocessor 18 controls the operation of the display 16, as well asthe overall operation of the device 10, in response to actuation of keyson the keyboard 14A or thumbwheel 14B by a user. Exemplarymicroprocessors for microprocessor 18 include Data 950 (trade-mark)series microprocessors and the 6200 series microprocessor, bothavailable from Intel Corporation.

Physically for device 10, its housing may be elongated vertically, ormay take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housingstructures). The keyboard may include a mode selection key, or otherhardware or software for switching between text entry and telephonyentry.

Although not shown as a separate item, when display 16 is implemented asa LCD, a backlighting system is almost invariably used to assist in theviewing display 16, especially under low-light conditions. A typicalbacklighting system comprises a series of LEDs and a controller tocontrol activation of the LEDs. Depending on a brightness level selectedfor display 16, all or some of the LEDs may be powered in a full dutycycle or a duty-cycle approaching 0%.

In addition to the microprocessor 18, other internal devices of thedevice 10 are shown schematically in FIG. 1. These devices include: acommunication subsystem 100, a short-range communication subsystem 102,keyboard 14A, thumbwheel 14B and display 16. Other input/output devicesinclude a set of auxiliary I/O devices 106, a serial port 108, a speaker110 and a microphone 112. Memory for device 10 is provided in flashmemory 116 and Random Access Memory (RAM) 118. Finally, additionalsensor 120 and various other device subsystems (not shown) are provided.The device 10 is preferably a two-way radio frequency (RF) communicationdevice having voice and data communication capabilities. In addition,device 10 preferably has the capability to communicate with othercomputer systems via the Internet.

Operating system software executed by the microprocessor 18 ispreferably stored in a computer readable medium, such as flash memory116, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as readonly memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, systemsoftware, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may betemporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as RAM 118. Communicationsignals received by the mobile device may also be stored to RAM 118.

Microprocessor 18, in addition to its operating system functions,enables execution of software applications on device 10. A set ofsoftware applications that control basic device operations, such as avoice communication module 130A and a data communication module 130B,may be installed on the device 10 during manufacture or downloadedthereafter. Cell mapping module 130C may also be installed on device 10during manufacture. As well, additional software modules, illustrated asanother software module 130N, which may be, for instance, a personalinformation manager (PIM) application, may be installed duringmanufacture or downloaded thereafter into device 10. PIM application ispreferably capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mailmessages, calendar events, voice mail messages, appointments, and taskitems. PIM application is also preferably capable of sending andreceiving data items via a wireless network 140. Preferably, data itemsmanaged by PIM application are seamlessly integrated, synchronized andupdated via wireless network 140 with device user's corresponding dataitems stored or associated with a host computer system.

Communication functions, including data and voice communications, areperformed through the communication subsystem 100, and possibly throughthe short-range communication subsystem 102. Communication subsystem 100includes receiver 150, transmitter 152 and one or more antennas,illustrated as receive antenna 154 and transmit antenna 156. Inaddition, communication subsystem 100 also includes processing module,such as digital signal processor (DSP) 158 and local oscillators (LOs)160. The specific design and implementation of communication subsystem100 is dependent upon the communication network in which device 10 isintended to operate. For example, communication subsystem 100 of thedevice 10 may be designed to operate with the Mobitex (trade-mark),DataTAC (trade-mark) or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile datacommunication networks and also designed to operate with any of avariety of voice communication networks, such as Advanced Mobile PhoneService (AMPS), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Code DivisionMultiple Access CDMA, Personal Communication Service (PCS), GlobalSystem for Mobile Communication (GSM), etc. Other types of data andvoice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized withdevice 10.

Network access requirements vary depending upon the type ofcommunication system. For example, in the Mobitex (trade-mark) andDataTAC (trade-mark) networks, mobile devices are registered on thenetwork using a unique Personal Identification Number (PIN) associatedwith each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access isassociated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS devicetherefore requires a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to asa Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card, in order to operate on a GPRSnetwork.

When required network registration or activation procedures have beencompleted, device 10 may send and receive communication signals overcommunication network 140. Signals received from communication network140 by the receive antenna 154 are routed to receiver 150, whichprovides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering,channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digitalconversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of received signals allows theDSP 158 to perform more complex communication functions, such as signaldemodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to betransmitted to network 140 are processed (e.g., modulated and encoded)by DSP 158 and are then provided to transmitter 152 for digital toanalog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification andtransmission to communication network 140 (or networks) via the transmitantenna 156.

In addition to processing communication signals, DSP 158 provides forcontrol of receiver 150 and transmitter 152. For example, gains appliedto communication signals in receiver 150 and transmitter 152 may beadaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithmsimplemented in DSP 158.

In a data communication mode, a received signal, such as a text messageor web page download, is processed by the communication subsystem 100and is input to microprocessor 18. The received signal is then furtherprocessed by microprocessor 18 for an output to the display 16, oralternatively to some other auxiliary I/O devices 106. A device user mayalso compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using keyboard 14A,thumb-wheel 14B and/or some other auxiliary I/O device 106, such as atouchpad, a rocker switch or some other type of input device. Thecomposed data items may then be transmitted over communication network140 via communication subsystem 100.

In a voice communication mode, overall operation of device 10 issubstantially similar to the data communication mode, except thatreceived signals are output to speaker 110, and signals for transmissionare generated by microphone 112. Alternative voice or audio I/Osubsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also beimplemented on device 10. In addition, display 16 may also be utilizedin voice communication mode, for example, to display the identity of acalling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call relatedinformation.

Short-range communication subsystem 102 enables communication betweendevice 10 and other proximate systems or devices, which need notnecessarily be similar devices. For example, the short-rangecommunication subsystem may include an infrared device and associatedcircuits and components, or a Bluetooth (trade-mark) communicationmodule to provide for communication with similarly-enabled systems anddevices.

Powering the entire electronics of the mobile handheld communicationdevice is power source 170. Preferably, the power source 170 includesone or more batteries. More preferably, the power source 170 is a singlebattery pack, especially a rechargeable battery pack.

Power switch 172 provides an “on/off” switch for device 10. Uponactivation of power switch 172 a process operating on device 10 isinitiated to turn on device 10 and preferably initiate all functionalityof device 10. Upon deactivation of power switch 172, another process isinitiated to turn off device 10. Power to device 10 may also becontrolled by other devices and by internal software applications, asdescribed further below.

Device 10 can be placed in one of several power consumption modesincluding: a fully on mode, a partially on mode and a fully off mode. Inthe fully off (deep sleep) mode, power is provided to only a minimal setof component to enable device 10 to operate. These components typicallyinclude those which at a minimum, provide power to microprocessor 18 andits related memory, clocks and other devices to allow device 10 tomaintain its internal clock, software applications and data, andrecognize a stimulus (e.g. activation of the power on button) to revivedevice 10 from its fully off/deep sleep mode. In the partially on modeone or more functionalities of device 10 are either disabled or reduced.For example, one or both of communication system 100 and communicationsubsystem 102 may be disabled. Also, the backlighting system for display16 may be reduced in intensity; to conserve power, the backlight systemis either set to activate the LEDs at a low duty cycle frequency or notactivate the LEDs at all. Other internal devices of device 10 can alsobe programmed to operate in different power modes. It will beappreciated that there may be several partially on modes where differentsets of functionalities may be enabled/disabled in each mode.

In particular, device 10 can be placed into a sleep mode, wherein aschedule can be provided to device 10 to define “on” and “off” cyclesfor device 10 depending on the time of day and the date. Therein, theuser accesses a programming menu in device 10 and accesses a scheduler,then enters data for an activation cycle using keyboard 14A.Alternatively, such data can be downloaded to device 10 from a remotesource. Typically, programming for the sleep mode is achieved through aprogramming menu, power application generated on display 16. The menuprovides text inviting the user to enter “on” and “off” times inappropriate weekday fields as activation boundaries for weekdays. Texton the screen may also invite the user to select what level of power isto be provided to device 10 during a sleep mode. Once the data isentered by the user and submitted to device 10 from the menu,application processes the time data and updates or generates anactivation cycle for device 10. Thereafter, power application monitorsits internal clock to determine the current time and date andautomatically turns on and off identified elements in device 10according to the time data stored for the activation cycle. Thedeployment and implementation of the scheduler may be implemented in anyprogramming language.

Also, device 10 can have a built in program routine to automaticallymove from one power state to a lower power state when a predeterminedevent occurs. Such an event can be considered to be an “auto-off” eventfor device 10. For example, subsystem 102 is enabled and no message isreceived after a certain set time limit, power application can be set tocause device 10 to move to a lower power mode and disable power tosubsystem 102. Signals and absence of signals from other elements indevice 10 can be used by the routine to change the power state of device10. To allow entry of such “auto-off” events, device 10 provides asimilar user interface of menu screen(s) on display 16.

The embodiment provides a system and method activating device 10 from alower power mode (e.g. a sleep mode) to a higher power mode (e.g. afully on mode) by inferring intended use of device 10, preferablywithout monitoring for activation of power switch 172 or any specificactivation of any other key or input device which the user typicallyspecifically activates on device 10.

To that end, device 10 has also has one or more sensors 120 to detectits state of activation. Such sensors are passive, in a sense that theuser does not have to manually activate the sensor to cause device 10 toactivate. Such sensors are selected to detect secondary conditions whichare used to infer that device 10 is being used. For example, one type ofsensor 120 is an activation sensor providing an indication of movementor usage of device 10. As such, when the activation sensor is tripped,the program operating in device 10 makes a determination that device 10is about to be used and activates one or more of its functionalcomponents which are currently not active. It is notable that theactivation of the components is done without the user having tospecifically press the power switch 172, depress any key in keypad 14Aor spin thumbwheel 14 b.

The activation sensor may be a mercury switch, an accelerometer or anyother motion sensing device which can be incorporated within device 10.If sensor 120 is implemented as a mercury switch (or a comparable tiltswitch), then electrical signals generated from the switch are providedto microprocessor 18 and software operating on microprocessor 18 isprovided to detect signals from the switch and to determine whether thesignals received mean that device 10 is at rest or is moving.

If sensor 120 is implemented as an accelerometer, signals therefrom canbe used by the power application to detect motion and to detect adisplacement vector of device 10, since accelerometers, as forcemeasuring devices, provide force information which can be used to derivedisplacement information using mathematical integration methods. Assuch, signals from the accelerometer can be used to detect when device10 is moved from its resting location to an active position and whendevice 10 is returned to its resting location. Such numerical dataintegration techniques can be implemented in the power application as anappropriate function, using programming techniques known in the art.

Alternatively still, sensor 120 may be a spring loaded switch which isbiased to be in one position (either open or closed) when device 10 isplaced flatly on a surface (e.g. flat on its back, if sensor 120 is aspring-loaded switch located on the back of device 10) and is biased tobe in a second position (either closed or open) when device 10 is liftedfrom the surface. In still another sensing arrangement, if device 10 iselectrically connected to a docking station, allowing device 10 tocommunicate with another device such as a computer (not shown), then theapplication can detect when device 10 is docked and undocked in itscradle. Other embodiments may use wireless systems, such asBluetooth-enabled (trade-mark) systems, to detect when device 10 is neara detecting or docking station. Other types of sensors known in the artmay be used for sensor 120. For each type of sensor 120, depending onits sensing dynamics, one detection of one state will indicate thatdevice 10 is being moved and detection of another state will indicatethat device 10 has stopped being moved. It will be appreciated that foreach of the different types of sensors for motion sensor 120, anappropriate software interface is provided to enable to the powerapplication to register the status of sensor 120.

Alternatively, sensor 120 is a light sensor which is used by powerapplication to detect when it is in a lit, dimly lit or unlitenvironment or when it is nighttime or daylight environment. The powerapplication may also use data from sensor 120 with its data on thecurrent time, date and location of device 10 to determine ambientdaylight conditions for device 10.

In other embodiments, multiple sensors 120 may be provided and the powerapplication may provide different emphasis on signals provided fromdifferent sensors 120.

In order to utilize signals from sensor(s) 120, power application isembodied in a software application (for example, as one of the softwareapplications described above) enabling it to selectively control powerof one or more internal elements of device 10, including, for example,display 16, keyboard 14A, thumbwheel 14B, microphone 112, short rangecommunication module 102 and communication subsystem 100. The powerapplication operates on microprocessor 18, has access to the systemclock of device 10 and can selectively provide power control signals toone or more of the internal elements. Such power control signals includesignals: to turn off the element completely; activate the element in afull power, full capability mode; and activate the element in a modewhich provides capabilities somewhere between full power and no power.

The power application operates in several modes. A first mode is whendevice 10 is in a full power mode; therein the power application takesno substantive activity and waits for device 10 to be de-activated intoa lower powered state, either through an automatic shut-off routine(e.g. after a predetermine time of non-use or when a predetermined timefor shut-off passes) or active shut-off of device 10 by the user. Upondetection of de-activation of device 10, a second mode monitors forcontinually usage of device 10 for one of the following conditions:active reactivation of device 10 (e.g. through activation of powerswitch 172, pressing of a key on keypad 14A or scrolling of thumbwheel14B); or a signal from sensor(s) 120. If the second condition isdetected, then device 10 is brought to a higher power state for a presetamount of time.

The second step is to monitor for activation of device 10 when it is ina sleep mode or any power mode which is not the full power mode. Onemonitoring process waits for an active activation of device 10 to occur,e.g. monitoring for activation of power key 172, a key on keyboard 14Aor thumbwheel 14B.

For the second step, one technique for detecting when device 10 is beingused is to infer usage when device 10 is being moved using signals fromsensor(s) 120. If the user subsequently picks up device 10, sensor(s)120 detect movement from a resting location. As such, for example, inuse, a user can simply pick up device 10 when it is in its dormant stateand as sensor 120 recognizes movement of device 10, device 10 can bebrought to a higher power state.

Upon detection of activation, device 10 can power up backlighting fordisplay 16, can power up one or more subsystems 102 or can power up oneor more other internal elements of device 10.

Upon detection of use of device 10, power application begins a timerwhich is used to track time after activation and monitors for activityof device 10. After a predetermined length of time of non usage (e.g. 5,10, 15, 20, 30, 45, 60 minutes or more), power application canselectively mark device 10 as not being used and can place device 10 ina lower power consumption mode. The absence of use may be determined bymonitoring the presence or absence of an event. For example the eventsmay include: activation or non-activation of a key on keyboard 14A orscrolling, depressing or non-activation of thumbwheel 14B, movement ornon-movement of device 10, active turn off of device 10, docking orundocking of device 10 from a docking device and return of device 10 toits resting location. The detection of use and then the detection ofabsence of use would complete one activation cycle for device 10. Powerapplication tracks the time and duration of this activation cycle.

It will be appreciated that with the application, a user can simply pickup device 10, have it power on one or more previously dormant functions,e.g. backlighting for display 16, have the function operational for apreset limited period of time, (e.g. a number of seconds or a number ofminutes), then have the function return to its dormant state preferablywithout having to specifically activate then deactivate power switch172.

After a certain predetermined period of non use, or if sensor 120 is anaccelerometer, after detection that device 10 has been returned to itsinitial location when it in its dormant state, application can thenplace device 10 into a dormant state.

Referring now to FIG. 2, further detail is provided on the operation ofthe second mode of power application, where algorithm 200 is shown.After start process 202, if device 10 is in a full power mode, thenpower application waits for it to move to a partially on or fully offpower mode. See step 204. Then, once it has left the full power mode, instep 206, power application waits for activation of device 10. In step208, if activation of device 10 is caused by an active condition, powerapplication returns to step 204. In step 210, if activation is caused bya passive condition detected on device 10, then device 10 is placed inan conditionally-activated state. In the conditionally-activated stateone or more elements of device 10 is activated and a timer is started.In step 212, upon a timeout of the timer or a off condition of device10, power application places device 10 to a lower power state. As notedearlier, preferably, the conditionally-activated state is a time limitedstate. As such, in step 212, the power application tracks a timer to seehow long it has been in the conditionally-activated state. Once the timelimit expires, then the elements activated are turned off completely orput into a lower power mode. Alternatively, the activated state may beended by the detection of a further signal from sensor(s) 120 or anotherelement, such as from keypad 14A, power switch 172, thumbwheel 14B ordetection of an “auto-off” event. Alternatively still, a signal fromsensor(s) 120 can by used to infer that more time is needed for theconditionally-activated state and detection of such signal can be usedto reset the timer.

The timer is implemented in software using the internal clock availablefrom microprocessor 18 and data for the timer is stored in memory 116.It will be appreciated that algorithm 200 may be implemented as a seriesof interrupt routines, thereby allowing other applications to operateconcurrently with it in a real time manner. Other implementationsproviding real time detection and monitoring of usage may be used.

In other embodiments, when power application is in theconditionally-activated state, if another movement is detected by sensor120 or if power switch 172 is activated, device 10 may be placed into afull power mode, and power application can then terminate.

Although the disclosure has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the scope of thedisclosure as outlined in the claims appended hereto.

1. A power management system for an electronic device, comprising: amicroprocessor controlling the electronic device; an accelerometer; anda power application operating on the microprocessor and providinginstructions to the microprocessor to place the electronic device in alow power state from a higher power state upon determining from movementdata generated by the accelerometer that the electronic device has beenreturned to around a resting location where the electronic device waspreviously in a stationary state from a first location that is in aspaced relationship to the resting location.
 2. The power managementsystem of claim 1, wherein the power application further providesinstructions to the microprocessor to calculate displacement data of thedevice from the resting location using the movement data from theaccelerometer.
 3. The power management system of claim 1, wherein: thepower application further provides instructions to the microprocessor toplace the electronic device in one of a plurality of power consumptionmodes by monitoring signals from the accelerometer and by changing modeswithin the plurality of power consumption modes based on the signals;the plurality of power consumption modes include the low power state,the higher power state, at least an off state and a fully on state; andthe low power state is a partially-off state that consumes less powerthan the fully on state and more power than the off state.
 4. The powermanagement system of claim 3, wherein: the power application furtherprovides instructions to the microprocessor to place the electronicdevice in the higher power state when the electronic device is in thestationary state at the resting location and the accelerometer providesa second signal indicating a subsequent movement of the electronicdevice from the resting location.
 5. The power management system asclaimed in claim 4, wherein the power application further providesinstructions to the microprocessor to: track a time that the electronicdevice is in the higher power state after placing the electronic devicein the higher power state; monitor for receipt of a non-use signal fromthe accelerometer indicating an intent to return to the lower powerstate; and monitor for receipt of a return signal from the accelerometerindicating return of the electronic device at or near the restinglocation.
 6. The power management system of claim 5, wherein the powerapplication further provides instructions to the microprocessor to placethe electronic device in the low power state from the higher power stateand deactivate the backlight when a predetermined length of time ofnon-use of the electronic device passes or when a predetermined time forshut-off passes.
 7. The power management system of claim 1, wherein thepower application activates another element in the electronic deviceafter receiving the first signal when the electronic device is placedfrom the low power state to the higher power state.
 8. The powermanagement system of claim 1, wherein the power application turns offthe backlight for the electronic device when the electronic device is inthe low power state.
 9. A method of selectively placing an electronicdevice in one of a plurality of power consumption modes, comprising:monitoring an accelerometer in the electronic device for movement data;and placing the electronic device in a low power state from a higherpower state upon determining from the movement data that the electronicdevice has been returned to around a resting location where theelectronic device was previously in a stationary state from a firstlocation that is in a spaced relationship to the resting location. 10.The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 9,further comprising: placing the electronic device in the higher powerstate from the low power state after the electronic device is stationaryand at the resting location and after the accelerometer provides asignal indicating movement of the electronic device from the restinglocation; and activating a backlight for the electronic device when theelectronic device is in the higher power state.
 11. The method ofselectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 10, wherein: thelow power state is a partially-off state; and the backlight has avariable intensity.
 12. The method of selectively activating a backlightas claimed in claim 10, further comprising: placing the electronicdevice in one of a plurality of power consumption modes by evaluatingthe movement data and by changing modes within the plurality of powerconsumption modes based on the movement data.
 13. The method ofselectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 12, wherein: theplurality of power consumption modes further include an off state and afully on state; and the low power state consumes less power than thefully on state and more power than the off state.
 14. The method ofselectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 10, furthercomprising: turning off the backlight when the electronic device is inthe low power state.
 15. The method of selectively activating abacklight as claimed in claim 10, further comprising: tracking a timethat the electronic device is in the higher power state; placing theelectronic device in the low power state from the higher power statewhen a predetermined length of time of non-use of the electronic devicepasses or when a predetermined time for shut-off passes.
 16. A portableelectronic device, comprising: a microprocessor; an accelerometer; and apower application operating on the microprocessor and providinginstructions to the microprocessor to place the electronic device in alow power state from a higher power state upon determining from movementdata generated by the accelerometer that the electronic device has beenreturned to around a resting location where the electronic device waspreviously in a stationary state from a first location that is in aspaced relationship to the resting location.
 17. The portable electronicdevice as claimed in claim 16, wherein the power application furtherprovides instructions to the microprocessor to calculate displacementdata of the device from the resting location using the movement datafrom the accelerometer.
 18. The portable electronic device as claimed inclaim 16, wherein: the power application further provides instructionsto the microprocessor to place the electronic device in one of aplurality of power consumption modes by monitoring signals from theaccelerometer and by changing modes within the plurality of powerconsumption modes based on the signals; the plurality of powerconsumption modes include the low power state, the higher power state,at least an off state and a fully on state; and the low power state is apartially-off state that consumes less power than the fully on state andmore power than the off state.
 19. The portable electronic device asclaimed in claim 16, wherein: the power application further providesinstructions to the microprocessor to place the electronic device in thehigher power state when the electronic device is in the stationary stateat the resting location and the accelerometer provides a second signalindicating a subsequent movement of the electronic device from theresting location.
 20. The portable electronic device as claimed in claim16, wherein the power application further provides instructions to themicroprocessor to: track a time that the electronic device is in thehigher power state after placing the electronic device in the higherpower state; monitor for receipt of a non-use signal from theaccelerometer indicating an intent to return to the lower power state;and monitor for receipt of a return signal from the accelerometerindicating return of the electronic device at or near the restinglocation.